Considering the portly S5 clocks in around 4300 lbs, it's about time Audi looked itself in the mirror and noticed those love handles and double chins. Michael Dick, global head of product engineering for Audi said recently the multi-ringed brand is looking to dramatically decrease the weight of upcoming models by increasing the use of aluminum, magnesium, and high strength steel while downsizing engine displacement by 30% and increasing their specific output. The future S4 and S5 will step back from the supercharged V6 and utilize a turbocharged four which will be no doubt direct injected. To give you an idea of what we're talking about here, Audi claims to be testing a next-gen S5 weighing in at 880 lbs less than the current model. This is definitely a plan we can get behind. [Car und Driver]

What else? The twin-clutch system is a kissin' cousin of VW's DSG, swapping cogs in 200ms and weighing just 40kg more than the 6-speed manual. Of course, despite being less fun for those of us who enjoy a real stick-shift, it performs faster than the human-shifted 'box and offers benefits in CO2 emissions as well, a key selling point for our European brothers and sisters who actually have to worry about greenhouse gasses. Suckers. We just have to worry about whether it'll bankrupt our automakers. Damn you, Socialist Euro-trash and your filthy stinking government subsidies and tax exemptions. [World Car Fans]